Crafter turns love of leather into business

In a world of mass-produced clothing and assembly-line toys, some people prefer one-of-a-kind items and pieces that have a history.

“We, as people, love stories,” said Tress Wambeke, owner and founder of T Bird Leather. “People want to know the story behind something they own.”

 Pieces from T Bird Leather have that history. Wambeke crafts each piece from hand in her Whitefish studio, starting from scratch with a hide of leather and building from the base layer.

“People have started to wonder where the things they own come from, and they’re more invested in those that come from their state or region,” Wambeke says as she measures, marks and cuts the long reams of tanned hide.

Each purse, belt, wallet or pair of earrings has been carefully designed by Wambeke. She carries an “idea book” with her, and sketches ideas or snaps photos of things that inspire her throughout her day. When she brings the book back to the studio, she draws on any number of inspirations to create a completely new piece of leather work.

First, the project is born as a sketch. Then Wambeke uses inexpensive craft foam to make a model of the piece. Sometimes, she returns to the drawing board over and over until she gets a model just right. Finally, she will build a prototype out of actual leather.

“People don’t realize how in-depth the whole process really is,” Wambeke said. “It’s like building the blue print to a house.”

WAMBEKE FOUNDED T Bird Leather in July 2014, but she never intended to pursue a career in leather work. In fact, she was almost as far from an artistic career as possible.

For many years, Wambeke helped manage her husband’s chiropractic business. Before that, she worked as a bookkeeper. However, she has always been inspired by sewing and textiles.

Wambeke grew up in an artistic family in the southwestern United States. Wambeke’s mother taught her how to sew with a needle and thread when she was six years old, and quickly, Wambeke fell in love with anything handmade.

As a hobby, Wambeke spent over three decades learning all she could about the design process and sewing patterns.

It wasn’t until Wambeke and her husband moved to Northwest Montana in 2001 that she began working with leather.

“I absolutely fell in love with leather,” she said. “I’ve dabbled in a lot of stuff, but I love leather so much.”

After discovering this passion, Wambeke sought out several local tack makers to learn more about working with leather. During her apprenticeships, she realized most leather work was reserved for cowboys and horse tack. Instead, she wanted to branch out and create new items.

Wambeke began making leather gifts for friends and family, and eventually, word of her leather prowess spread. People she had never met were calling or emailing to figure out where they could get her products. The company was born organically, after people across the northwest fell in love with her work.

The company name, T Bird, came from a childhood nickname that stuck with her into adulthood.

Wambeke’s products range from belts and earrings to wallets and purses. Her most popular product to date is a mid-sized bag, perfect for both everyday wear or dressier occasions.

“My products are for anybody, and they’re very simple,” she said. “I prefer to let the leather do the talking.”

T Bird Leather products can be found at the Toggery in both Whitefish and Kalispell, and will soon be available online. Wambeke is in the process of opening an Etsy shop, an online craft-based website that lets artists sell their work anywhere in world.

In the future, Wambeke said she hopes to continue to expand organically, and possibly hire another person to help her sew.

“I’m starting to have trouble keeping up right now, and I have the feeling it’s only going to get busier,” Wambeke said with a laugh. “But I’m excited for it. I’m doing something I love.”

Reporter Brianna Loper may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at bloper@dailyinterlake.com.